Sir Chris Hoy's historic sixth gold medal has been hailed as an inspiration to young people across the country.
Crowds of supporters in his home city of Edinburgh watched on a big screen last night as he rode to to victory in the men's keirin.
Basking in the sunshine at Festival Square, tourists and office workers joined together to applaud and cheer as Sir Chris became the most successful British Olympian of all time.
Joining the crowd was Craig Burn, chief executive of Scottish Cycling, who said the victory was a "momentous day" for British sport and cycling.
"I think we have proven we are the number-one cycling nation in terms of performance now. The challenge for us is how we actually turn that into participation and ultimately our 150 clubs out there are at the heart - the grassroots of our sport has got to be our number-one priority," he said.
"Our job now is to nurture this talent, to use this wave we have in front of us to promote the sport and make it more attractive than it already is. Sir Chris is unbelievable, what an absolute hero to win six gold medals. It is an absolutely momentous day for British sport and for cycling - it is absolutely out of this world.
"Undoubtedly Chris Hoy is a household name. Ultimately we talk about inspiring youth and a generation but I think this is about inspiring Scotland and the UK behind sport and it is not just about young people because for sport to be successful and for those young people to have a club to go to we need adults, we need volunteers, we need coaches and all sorts of things."
After Sir Chris hinted following the race that he might make the Commonwealth Games in 2014, Mr Burn said: "We absolutely want Chris to be on the track at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and be in good shape for that."
Scotland's sports minister Shona Robison, speaking from the velodrome, called Sir Chris a "hero and inspiration". Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said: "Sir Chris Hoy's gold medal caps another brilliant day for our cyclists and Team GB as a whole.
Ruth Davidson, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said: "Sir Chris Hoy performed heroics at the Olympics four years ago and inspired youngsters across the UK. This evening's win turns his hero status into legend."
